UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CHARTER

______________________________________________________________________________

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee

______________________________________________________________________________

1. Committee's Official Designation (Title):

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee.

2. Authority:

This charter establishes the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee

( FRRCC) in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA),

5 U.S.C. App. 2 § 9 (c). The FRRCC is in the public interest and supports EPA in performing its 

duties and responsibilities.

3. Objectives and Scope of Activities:

The FRRCC will provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator on 

environmental issues and programs that impact, or are of concern to, farms, ranches, and rural 

communities. Topics covered may include issues relating to water, air and radiation, solid waste 

and emergency response, pesticides and toxics, enforcement and compliance assistance, and 

research and development. 

The major objectives will be to provide advice and recommendations on:

a. Impacts of Agency agriculture-related programs, policies, and regulations regarding 

climate change and renewable energy. 

b. Identification and development of a comprehensive environmental strategy for 

livestock operations. 

c. Development of a constructive approach or framework to address areas of common 

interest between sustainable agriculture and protection of the environment. 

 

4. Description of Committee’s Duties:

The duties of the FRRCC are solely advisory in nature.
5. Official(s) to Whom the Committee Reports:

The FRRCC will report its advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator.

6. Agency Responsible for Providing the Necessary Support:

EPA’s Office of Cooperative Environmental Management, Office of the Administrator

will be responsible for financial and administrative support.

7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Person-Years:

The estimated annual operating cost of the FRRCC is $375,000 which includes 2.0

person-years of support.

8. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings:

The Committee expects to meet approximately two (2) times a year, or as needed and 

approved by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). Meetings will be held in Washington, DC 

and the EPA regions. EPA may pay travel and per diem expenses when determined necessary

and appropriate. A full-time or permanent part-time employee of EPA will be appointed as the 

DFO. The DFO or a designee will be present at all meetings, and each meeting will be 

conducted in accordance with an agenda approved in advance by the DFO. The DFO is 

authorized to adjourn any meeting when he or she determines it is in the public interest to do so.

As required by FACA, the FRRCC will hold open meetings unless the EPA 

Administrator determines that a meeting or a portion of a meeting may be closed to the public in 

accordance with 5 U.S.C. § 552b (c). Interested persons may attend meetings, appear before the 

Committee as time permits, and file comments with the Committee.

9. Duration and Termination: 

The FRRCC will be examined annually and will exist until the EPA determines that the 

Committee is no longer needed. This charter will be in effect for two years from the date it is 

filed with Congress. After the initial two-year period, the charter may be renewed as authorized 

in accordance with Section 14 of FACA (5 U.S.C. App. 2 § 14).
10. Member Composition:

The FRRCC will be composed of approximately thirty (30) members who will serve as

Regular Government Employees (RGEs) or as Representative members. The majority of 

members will be actively engaged in farming or ranching. In selecting members, EPA will 

consider candidates from farm groups, conservation and environmental groups, agricultural 

processors and retailers, academia, citizen’s groups, and state, local, and tribal governments. 

Members may represent farmers, ranchers, and rural communities—large and small, crop and 

livestock, commodity and specialty, regionally balanced—and the rural suppliers, marketers, and 

processors that serve farmers, ranchers and rural communities; as well as the academic/research 

community who do research on environmental issues impacting agriculture, tribal agriculture 

groups, state and local government representatives, and environmental/conservation groups. The 

USDA and other Federal agency members will serve as RGEs

11. Subgroups:

EPA, or the FRRCC with EPA’s approval, may form subcommittees or workgroups for 

any purpose consistent with this charter. Such subcommittees or workgroups may not work 

independently of the chartered Committee and must report their recommendations and advice to 

the chartered Committee for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups 

have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered committee nor can they report 

directly to the EPA.

January 22, 2008

Agency Approval Date

January 23, 2008

GSA Consultation Date

February 20, 2008

Date Filed with Congress